This time last year, I was a recent graduate without a job. I was
panicked. I was nervous. I was overwhelmed.

Graduating is tough. You feel happy about your accomplishments, excited
about what the future has to offer, and nervous about all the unknowns
that accompany post-college life.

I was definitely fixating on that last one. There were so many unknowns;
well letís face it, there still are. And not knowing when I would leave my
parentsí house was enough to keep me glued to the computer almost 24/7.

That was my first mistake. I was obsessive. I was also impatient. I guess
the two often go hand-in-hand. When I look back at last June, I wish I had
spent more time relaxing and having fun. Iíll be working the rest of my
life Ė not sure what the rush was, but back then, I wasnít as wise as I
like to think I am now.

My advice to 2011 graduates is to be patient. Whether you have a job or
not, you have to be patient. Finding a job takes time. I was fortunate
enough to be contacted by my current employer about a month after
graduation. If I had not been so lucky, who knows how long it would have
taken me to find a job. Patience is key.

And while youíre being patient, itís important to strategize. Since you
have the time, you should do your research -- spend time determining what
you really want for your career. Iíll admit, I started applying to jobs I
knew I didnít want. I figured I was qualified and that was enough.

Now I imagine if I had been offered a job Ė one that I didnít want. I
would have been, or at least felt, pressured to take it. I would have been
constantly wondering what could have been. Thatís why itís important to
take your time if you have it.

Graduating without a job means you are graduating with time on your side.
Donít worry, you can afford it. You probably already have student loans
after all. A few more weeks or months of unemployment wonít hurt your
bottom line as much as taking the wrong job could potentially hurt your
career.